Christopher Rauschenberg is known for urban landscape photography, using monochrome and color sensitively, not sensationally. For a new show he lenses the intimate interiors of artist's studios. What is common? A collage of images from here and there. Paint tracks. You can see for yourself, artifacts, absent finished work, that are traces of the inspiration process. Along with Unveiled, a show of nudes, by David Smith, Gaston Lachaise, John Sloan, and Henri Matisse, Malia Jensen, Stephen Hayes, Joseph Park and Robert Hanson. At Elizabeth Leach Gallery www.elizabethleach.com 417 NW 9th Map 6PM-8 Free
Energy, our survival depends on it. It is energy that keeps us warm or cool when the weather is other. Energy takes us to and from families and jobs. Energy grows our food, delivers it and cooks it. Pumps our fresh water and disposes of waste. It runs our media and Internet.
In the United States today, 78% comes from millions of years of underground fossil plant deposits in the form of coal, natural gas and oil - http://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/energy/energy_archive/energy_flow_2012/2012new2012newUSEnergy.png. In fact the two major electric utilities serving Portland Portland General Electric and Pacificorps have significant use of coal as a source. Maybe we need to come up with a plan to not dig that up!
Why? Our methods of converting those sources to use are woefully inefficient. They are limited by Carnot efficiency, but typically operate at about 33%. Add transmission losses and the inefficiency of building insulation. The result of primitive burning, fossil fuel sources are leading to extreme weather events like wildfire, floods, hurricanes, heat waves and low temperatures. They are leading to crop failures and loss of centuries stable ecosystems. Those landscape plants in your yard. Some will survive. The weeds will survive, guaranteed. Fisheries - we are already losing our oyster business in Oregon because burning carbon fuels is increasing ocean acidity. So yes we are the lobster who starts out on the fire in a cold pot, then realizes too late they are cooked.
I have not seen this documentary. And being me, I would probably make it differently. But seeing the trailer, I suggest it. Because it is about something happening here, now and that you can influence by volunteering, writing an email or just showing up. And if you don't, it is going to affect you.
Yes, easy to ignore. But what are you going to say to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews if you ignored it? They will ask.
Showing of the documentary Momenta, produced in Portland, on American coal exports from Wyoming, Montana and Colorado through Portland and Northwest locations over rail to China and other Asian countries.
This is an early edit and advance free tickets required - http://www.eventbrite.com/e/momenta-advanced-screening-tickets-10036231639.
At Patagonia in Ecotrust. Ticket includes raffle. Beer available for purchase. 907 NW Irving Doors 7PM, showing 8 $10 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds
